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| Lions Hang On To Ace Cusack | |
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By Brian Stater GEORGE GRAHAM has slapped a 'hands off' notice on Millwall giant Dave Cusack. Millwall manager has insisted that centre-half Cusack must stay at The Den, following speculation that Southend will name him as their new player-boss. Graham told me, “If Southend or anyone else want Dave they will have to sent us a very fat cheque. He is under contract, and unless I get a very big offer he will stay with us.” Twenty-eight-year-old Cusack denies all knowledge of Southend's alleged interest, which has been fuelled by rumours that World Cup hero Bobby Moore will leave the fourth division outfit. Cusack, who was signed by Graham from Southend and still lives in the area, has twice demanded a move and is currently on the transfer list at The Den. He has attracted interest from Doncaster and Plymouth, but seems resigned to staying at The Den in the short term. He said, “My main priority at the moment is performing as well as I can for Millwall.” Cusack still has 12 months of his Contract to run, and I understand an offer of over £40,000 would be required before Graham would part with him. Cusack is a key member of the side while Lindsay Smith is injured and though Cusack may make way for Smith when he is fit, Graham has long insisted that he wants to maintain a strong squad. Meanwhile, Graham takes his side to Reading tonight for the opening leg of their Milk, Cup first round tie. He is likely to field the same side that beat Swansea 2-0 on Saturday and said, “They will be a tough side to beat on their home ground. But I think we can get a result there and I'm looking forward to bringing them back to The Den.” Most of the club's injured men will be in reserve team action at home to Watford today. Full-back Keith Stevens is close to shrugging off his knee injury and Smith and goalkeepers Peter Wells also play. Midfield men Anton Otulakowski and Les Briley finish their two match bans this week, and will be available for Saturday's Third Division trip to Cambridge. Steve Lowndes is still not fully fit. |
 Cusack: Tipped for the Southend Job |
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Extra police are being drafted in to Elm Park tonight in a bid to prevent trouble at the cup clash between Reading and Millwall. And a senior policeman has issued a plea to fans to enjoy the football rather than get involved in trouble. Previous visits by the notorious Millwall fans have ended in voilence and arrests. And only last Saturday Millwall's home game with Swansea was held up by for two minutes when brawling fans spilled on to the pitch during a 15-minute battle on the terrace. At tonight's match the London fans will face extra policeman as well as improved fencing at the town end of the ground. The club has raised the fencing at the visitors' end by three feet and added inward-facing spikes in a bid to prevent fans climbing over and invading the pitch. Reading managing director Nike Lewis said the club was obviously taking pre-cautions, but hoping for a peaceful evening and a good game of football. Supt Alan Cussell of Reading Police said “Obviously because of previous history between the clubs we are deploying more officers than we would do for an ordinary Staurday afternoon league match.” “I'm hoping for a good match and that there will not be any trouble at all. It's a Milk Cup match and should be a good game. There's no reason for any trouble.” When Millwall visited Reading in February 1985 there was pitched battle in Broad Street between rival fans wielding crowbars and two years earlier the London fans wrecked the Admiral Pub in West Street. Local councilor Graham Rush said he was worried about the number of police being taken out of Reading to deal with the Miners' strike rather than being on call for events like football matches. Local resident Sue Walters, of Albany Road, said: “We are hoping and praying nothing happens. Every time they play at home, we think like this.” Two years ago her one year old son Jamie was showered with glass when stone throwing hooligans clashed outside her home at Reading's match against rivals Oxford Utd. Mr Mohammed Saood, who runs the Saood Super Store on the Oxford Road, said that he would be waiting to see what happened. If there was trouble he planned to close his store earlier than the usual 7pm time. |
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A superb display from goalkeeper Paul Sansome and a half-time rollicking from manager George Graham kept Millwall's Milk Cup hopes alive at Reading on Wednesday. The Lions looked likely to be on the end of mauling as Reading ran riot early in this first leg tie. In a one sided first half, Reading rained in 10 attempts on the Millwall goal. But apart from being beaten by a 13th minute header from Ken Price, Sansome remained defiant and Graham was quick to pay tribute, saying, “That was the best game I've seen Paul play.” After an interval outburst from Graham, the Lions fought back to start level in the return leg at the Den on Tuesday. “I had a go at them at half-time,” admitted Graham. “Much of what I said is unrepeatable, but I soon sorted out the problems.” “I was very disappointed with our attitude in the first half. We surrendered territory far too easily and it was almost as if we were apologising for being out there. But we were much more positive in the second period.” With captain Steve Lovell behind many of their moves, Millwall showed far more ideas going forward and leveled through Dean Neal in the 65th minute Millwall had Dave Cusack and Bill Roffey booked for wild challenges in the closing minutes. |
 The Equaliser: Dean Neal Ref K Barratt Att: 3,771 |
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By Graham Baker (The Mirror) Reading 1 -1 Millwall Reading officials last night had to combat a new weapon in the armoury of football hooligans...a microphone. The problem arose when the mike ended up in the hands of a terrace lout. He twice shouted a string of foul and abusive words before the mic was taken from him. The incident could easily have inflamed a tense situation in this Milk Cup first-round tie. Millwall fans were baiting Steve Richardson, Reading's coloured right back. |
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The story the National Press Missed A soccer fan was seriously injured when he was hit over the head with a brick and kicked in the face. The incident happened during trouble after Millwall's game at Elm Park, Reading, last Wednesday. Police have only just been told about the incident and are appealing for witnesses. The victim, Patrick O'Reilly, of Portman Buildings, Pomeroy Street, New Cross, was taken away by relatives after the attack, and later admitted to King's College Hospital, Camberwell Mr O'Reilly (35), suffered a broken jaw, and a broken cheek bone but has now been released. He left the Elm Park ground at 9.10 p.m. after the match and was with members of his family and friends when the attack happened. lan Parsons (21) of Reading, suffered a fractured skull when a brick was thrown through his car windscreen. A Millwall fan is also reported to have been attacked by youths who were wielding baseball bats. This attack also happened near the ground and the victim needed 18 stitches to his wounds. South London Press |
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Reading 1 Millwall 1 By STEVE THOMSON Mark White was Readings unsung hero in this fiercely-fought Milk Cup first round first leg tie at Elm Park which ended in a 1-1 draw last night. Royal's 25-year-old utility man answered an SOS from his boss Ian Branfoot to play in place of injured full-back Jerry Williams. But White was also receiving treatment before the game for a thigh strain and risked worsening it by deputising for his crocked team-mate. However, his all-action 90 minute performance belied his lack of fitness and included a surging second half run which could well hace led to a Royal's winner. Said Branfoot: “I knew he wasn't 100 percent but I asked him to play and he immediately agreed. That's the attitude I love to have at the club and if he stays long enough I hope he gets a testimonial because he deserves it.” White's contribution was matched by the rest of the team in the first half as Royals truley tore into the opposition. They carved out three times as many chances as Millwall but unfortunately only one of them ended up in the net. |
That goal came in the fateful 13th minute and was simplicity itself. David Crown, who had one of his best games at Elm Park for many a month, put Colin Duncan clear on the left and he slipped past a defender before curling in an irresistible cross which Ken Price converted with a diving header. Royals did everything but increase their lead before the break , Steve Richardson going close twice, first with a misdirected crss and then with a full-blooded 25-yarder. Both times Paul Sansome managed to palm the ball away. Crown, however, somewhat marred his fine display by missing the easiest opportunity after being put through by Price. The Royal's winger delayed his shot allowing Sansome to deflect it for a corner with his boot. The second half was an entirely different story with the visitors ruling the roost from the kick off. Steve Lovell's drive had Alan Judge fumbling before Richardson smartly came to the rescue. But the inevitable equaliser arrived in the 63rd minute, Duncan's cross was cleared out to Kevin Bremner whose strong run opened up The Royal's defence. |
 Bremner slipped the ball inside to Alan McLeary who helped it on its way to scorer Dean Neal, although he needed a second bite at the cherry after Judge beat out his first shot. Their tails up, the Lions continued to rampage forward and came desperately close to taking the lead after 71 minutes. Micky Nutton, who once spent a spell on loan at Reading, flicked on a corner and Bremner's far post header was blocked on the line. Reading's play had become ragged and frantic by this stage but they pulled themsleves together to launch a late rally. Crown twice got into good positions but could not quite find the killer shot to match his incisive running. The pressure told on the visitors in bookings for Dave Cusack , following a foul on Senior and Bill Roffey who similarly floored Richardson. But Royal's goal hero Price was very lucky to escape with a dismissal let alone a caution after lashing out st Dave Martin. Reading: Judge, Richardson, White, Price, Hicks, Wood, Duncan, Horrix, Senior, Sanchez, Crown. Sub: Beavon Millwall: Sansome, Nutton, Roffey, McLeary, Martin, Cusack, Lovell, Bremner, Neal, Chatterton, Kinsella. Sub: Lowndes Referee: Barratt (Coventry) Attendance: 3,771 |
